# 23andMe vs StrictlyBased

23andMe and StrictlyBased both sit at 4.8 stars, but that hides the real split: 100% of StrictlyBased's written reviews are positive against 40% of 23andMe's. StrictlyBased also leads on iOS requirement (15.1 vs 18.0). 23andMe's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 1) and ratings volume (562K vs 19). On price, rating, update cadence and ads there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. StrictlyBased sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $3.99 per month. 23andMe asks for nothing beyond the download.

StrictlyBased holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.8. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: 23andMe has 562K ratings behind it against 19, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 40% of 23andMe's written reviews are positive against 100% of StrictlyBased's.

23andMe ships an update weekly, StrictlyBased every 4 days. The most recent releases landed on November 6, 2026 and October 30, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | 23andMe | StrictlyBased |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.8 (562K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/23andme-dna-testing/id952516687/reviews) | **[5.0 (19 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/strictlybased-food-scanner/id6739453393/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **562K** | 19 |
| Positive reviews | 39.8% of reviews | **100.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | Yes |
| Update frequency | Weekly | **Every 4 days** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 106 MB | 50 MB |
| Requires iOS | 18.0 | **15.1** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPod |
| Age rating | 12+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [23andMe, Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/524497400) | [STRICTLYBASED LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/1785404487) |

## What reviewers say

### 23andMe

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/23andme-dna-testing/id952516687)

Explore your genetic makeup to uncover your ancestry and gain personalized health insights. Connect with DNA relatives and access detailed reports about your genetic predispositions and carrier statuses. The app facilitates a deeper understanding of your health and heritage.

**Highlights:** Ancestry exploration by region, Personalized health insights, Connect with DNA relatives, Detailed genetic reports, Sample progress tracking, Research participation option

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Detailed ancestry and health reports
- 👍 Easy to navigate app
- 🎉 Found biological family members
- 💡 Interesting genetic insights
- 🧬 Confirmed family history

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Buggy app performance
- 📤 Difficult to download raw data
- 💰 Expensive subscription fees
- 🔍 Lacking in-depth ancestry details
- 🚫 Does not recognize Palestinian ancestry

**Reported bugs**

- App crashes and freezes frequently
- Relatives not showing up in family tree
- Messaging functionality unreliable
- Inconsistent data updates across user profiles

**Requested features**

- Improved family tree functionality
- More detailed regional ancestry breakdowns
- Better messaging and relative connection features
- Ability to view health reports without additional fees


### StrictlyBased

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/strictlybased-food-scanner/id6739453393)

This app helps you make informed decisions about everyday products by providing instant, insightful feedback on groceries and personal care items. It aims to simplify conscious shopping in a crowded market.

**Highlights:** Instant product feedback, Informed purchasing decisions, Conscious shopping guide, Grocery and personal care scanning, Insightful product analysis

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Apple Wallet

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Premium Monthly | $3.99 | per month |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is 23andMe free?

23andMe is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is StrictlyBased free?

StrictlyBased is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, 23andMe or StrictlyBased?

StrictlyBased is rated higher. 23andMe averages 4.8 out of 5 from 562K ratings, while StrictlyBased averages 5.0 from 19 ratings.

### Do 23andMe or StrictlyBased have ads?

Both 23andMe and StrictlyBased show ads.

### Which is updated more often, 23andMe or StrictlyBased?

23andMe ships an update weekly, and StrictlyBased every 4 days. Most recently, 23andMe was updated on November 6, 2026 and StrictlyBased on October 30, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*